PARKER HANNIFIN DONATES NEW ENGINEERING LAB
FACILITY TO ENHANCE RESEARCH AND TEACHING

Cincinnati -- Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin Corporation donated equipment and support for a new
Structures Motion Control Laboratory in the Rhodes Hall High Bay
(Room 584A). Dedication ceremonies were set for Wednesday, Dec. 1.

The laboratory is one of only seven similar facilities
sponsored by Parker Hannifin around the country. Other engineering schools
selected include top-ranked institutions such as Purdue, the
University of Illinois, and Texas A&M.

The UC laboratory
includes a series of work stations which give
mechanical engineering students the opportunity to conduct hands-
on experiements in hydraulics, pneumatics and electro-mechanical
controls.

"A huge number of corporations have this technology,
but many
engineers are not trained to use it," said Duane Crockrom, human
resources and development manager at Parker Hannifin, explaining
the need for the new facility.

The main reason labs like this
are so rare is the expense.
Experiments are now typically simulated using electrical devices
instead of larger, more complex mechanical ones. So, Parker
Hannifin not only committed $100,000 worth of equipment for the
new lab, the company promised to keep the equipment updated as
new technology is developed in the controls area.

"That is the
crucial thing," explained Randy Allemang, professor
of mechanical engineering who is using the new laboratory for a
senior-level engineering course. "Parker Hannifin has made a
long-term commitment to keep these facilities up to date, so our
students will always be working with the latest
technology."

The lab will be used by a variety of classes and
will eventually
impact UC's engineering research program as well. Allemang has
already noticed a difference in the lab course he's teaching this
quarter.

"I've had students say they couldn't completely
understand the material from their lecture courses until they
came in here and worked through the hands-on experiments. It
definitely improves learning."

Motion control technology has
applications in a variety of fields
from manufacturing to automotives and aerospace.